Press Release

Felon Convicted in Anchorage Shooting

May 7, 2014

Today, an Anchorage jury found 30 year old Elliott Hernandez guilty of shooting an unarmed man in the neck in a Fairview Apartment. Hernandez was on probation and parole for felony convictions at the time of the shooting. He was convicted, following a week long jury trial, of assault in the first degree, assault in the third degree, and misconduct involving a weapon in the third degree (felon in possession of a firearm).

Hernandez was hanging out in the Fairview Apartment of an acquaintance when he became upset. He pointed a 9 millimeter semi-automatic handgun at his acquaintance and threatened to shoot him. Hernandez then left the apartment and as he did so, another man slammed the apartment door. This further angered Hernandez, who then shot through the apartment door, striking the man in the neck. The bullet entered and exited the man’s neck. The man was taken to the hospital and survived.

The Anchorage Police found Hernandez the next day and Hernandez tried to flee. The police ultimately arrested him that day and found a 9 millimeter firearm along Hernandez’ flight path. The firearm was compared to a shell casing recovered from the scene of the shooting. Bob Shem, a forensic scientist at the Alaska State Crime Lab, determined that the casing recovered from the scene was fired by the firearm that was abandoned by Hernandez.

Hernandez has been previously convicted for 16 crimes, including five prior felony convictions. Hernandez was on probation for felony assault and felony misconduct involving a weapon at the time of the shooting. He faces a sentence of at least 15 to 20 years for his current crimes. Hernandez has been in jail since January 2013 and will remain in jail until his sentencing before Anchorage Superior Court Judge Larry Card.

CONTACT: Assistant District Attorney Christina Sherman @ christina.sherman@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6300 at the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.